Game Time: 'Silent Hill HD Collection'

Movie scares can range from the startling, such as those seen in any slasher flick, to the creepy moments found in Japanese horror films and those warped girls from Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining." It's a rare treat when both of these styles of fright come together in one place, creating a perfect, scream-filled harmony. Konami not only utilized this concept for its ultrascary "Silent Hill" franchise, it raised the bar and made the entire experience interactive. Now, after nearly a decade, two of the series' most beloved titles are coming back in beautiful high definition to give the fans a few more scares and a lot more fun.

The "Silent Hill HD Collection" consists of two classic titles: "Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams" and "Silent Hill 3." In "Silent Hill 2," you'll play as James Sunderland, a man who has received a letter from his dead wife and has traveled to a small town with the hope of seeing her once more. As he sinks further and further into madness, his emotions begin to take the form of strange characters who lead him into another world. "Silent Hill 3" follows a cult's attempts to lure a young woman into Silent Hill while focusing on the intricate plan woven by one of its members, Claudia.

While both these tales have already been told, the collection offers them again with high-definition graphics, reworked voice-overs by vocalist Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and an updated soundtrack complete with new ambient music.

The "Silent Hill" games are both third-person adventure titles that rely heavily on scares and story to entertain all who dare to play. In "Silent Hill 2," you'll explore the town and solve puzzles while avoiding an onslaught of deadly creatures. Most of the game will have you gathering objects and solving puzzles in order to pass barriers that block your path. "Silent Hill 3" ups the ante by focusing a bit more on combat while increasing the difficulty of the puzzles. Both games feature multiple endings, from the frightening to the silly, that not only increase replay value but encourage players to try new things while spending time on their adventure.

Some glitchy camerawork aside, Konami has done little wrong with either "Silent Hill 2" or "Silent Hill 3." With updated sound and graphics coupled with the engrossing plot and jump-from-your-seat scares of the franchise, this double pack is the perfect game at the perfect price.